Influence of social media on awareness, perceptions, and decision-making regarding orthodontic treatment among patients in Indore: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background : Social media has emerged as an important source of health-related information and increasingly influences patient awareness, perceptions, and treatment expectations in orthodontics. Digital platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube enable patients to access information regarding various orthodontic treatment modalities, particularly aesthetic alternatives such as clear aligners. Aims and Objectives : To evaluate the influence of social media on patients’ awareness, perceptions, and decision-making regarding orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among orthodontic patients in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. A structured 15-item questionnaire was administered through Google Forms among 85 participants selected using convenience sampling. The questionnaire assessed demographic details, social media usage patterns, awareness regarding orthodontic treatment modalities, and perceptions toward orthodontic care. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were applied, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results : WhatsApp (96.5%), YouTube (83.5%), and Instagram (82.4%) were the most commonly used social media platforms. Most participants reported that social media helped them understand orthodontic treatment better (71.8%). Awareness regarding braces was high (98.8%), while awareness regarding clear aligners was reported by 74.1% of participants. Nearly 29.4% of participants stated that social media influenced their treatment-related decisions. Most participants (94.1%) believed orthodontists should be more active on social media. Conclusion : Social media plays a substantial role in improving awareness and influencing perceptions regarding orthodontic treatment. However, professional involvement is necessary to ensure dissemination of accurate and evidence-based information.
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7213657306